Story, craft hour

MEXICO — Mexico Public Library’s story and craft hour for preschoolers and homeschoolers is being held every Monday at 10 a.m. throughout the school year, except for Monday holidays and school storm and vacation days. Children enjoy listening to stories read aloud, and then work on a theme-related “make and take” craft project.

For more information, call the library at 364-3281.

Casting for Recovery

FRYEBURG — Bonnie Holding, Master Maine Guide and professional fly casting instructor, will introduce the Casting for Recovery program at the Fryeburg Fair on Monday, Oct. 3, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Holding will greet breast cancer survivors and their families and friends at the Trout Unlimited booth in the Natural Resources Building.

A nationwide program for breast cancer survivors, Casting for Recovery has been in the forefront of helping women move forward in their recovery since 1996. The CFR program “combines counseling, education, medical information and fly-fishing to build a focus on wellness instead of illness and on empowerment as opposed to helplessness.”

Class of 1952

MEXICO — The class of 1952 from Stephens High of Rumford will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at the Coop for their monthly luncheon. All class members and guests welcome.

Book craft

RUMFORD — The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center will offer a series of free workshops to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. “Create Personally Crafted Books” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays, Oct. 6, 13 and 20, at Rumford Hospital, Classroom C.

Learn many ways of creating your own special books including a simple signature pamphlet, box books, Z-fold accordion and Japanese stab binding. The design, structure and materials used in handmade books may inspire participants to create their own one-of-a-kind books to record their personal cancer journeys.

The workshops will be led by retired art teacher Gemma Morrill-Drecher.

Required preregistration is available by calling the Dempsey Center at 795-8250, toll-free 1-877-336-7287 or online at www.dempseycenter.org.

Animal blessing

BETHEL — Bethel United Methodist Church will have a special Blessing of the Animals service at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, on the church lawn. Everyone is invited to bring their live or stuffed animals. In a short ceremony each animal will be blessed by Pastor Carol Stevens. All live pets must be leashed or caged.

Halloween walk

RUMFORD — A haunted Halloween walk will take place Oct. 14, 15, 20-22 and 27-30, on 320 Isthmus Road. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and will end at 9:30 p.m. The cost is $4 per person. All proceeds go to the Relay for Life through Cancer Crusaders. For more information contact Cindi at 357-2701, Allison at 357-7084 or Jenn at 418-7599.

Ellis Riders shows

ANDOVER — The Ellis River Riders will hold their final shows on Saturday, Oct. 15, with a game show, and Sunday, Oct. 16, with an open show including both English and Western. The events begin at 9 a.m. at the show grounds on Airport Road, off Route 5.

These are fun family events with classes for all ages and abilities at reasonable prices. Spectators and parking are always free and the food booth will be open beginning at 8 a.m. with a wide variety of foods. Desserts are homemade by Gloria Cayer of Andover. Participate or watch and cheer on the participants.

Turkey roast

RUMFORD — A public turkey roast will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Blazing Star Lodge, Route 232. A second setting will be at 6:15 if needed.

Menu includes turkey, mashed potato, stuffing, carrots, peas, cole slaw, cranberry sauce, coffee, punch, bread and pie. Adults $8, under 12 $4. Takeouts available.

There will be a 50/50 raffle. A stair chair is available on the back stairs.

For more information, call Dick Stearns at 364-2943 or Joe Roy at 364-4715.